Patent · US Expired

Surgical treatment method and instrument

US5020995A · kind A · utility

88Cited by
8References
27Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateJan 18, 1989
Grant dateJun 4, 1991
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 18, 2009

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
  • CPC primaryB23K2103/30
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method and apparatus for cutting tooth tissue by generating laser radiation at a wavelength which is absorbed more strongly by hydroxyapatite than by water; producing a succession of pulses of the generated radiation with an energy level, pulse duration, and repetition rate selected to cut the tooth tissue without causing harmful side effects; and concentrating the radiation pulses on the tissue to a spot sufficiently small to cause cutting of the tissue.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.